LS1 Stalker Article

[scannon]

The new Kit Car Builder magazine came yesterday. There is a nice article on the V8 Stalkers from Brunton Auto.

 

At the end they state that you can buy a turnkey LS1 Stalker for $36k. That seems like a great bargain.

 

The chassis will fit all of the LSx engines so for a bit more you can theoretically have up to 511 ci and 2,500 HP. They are also looking into making chassis for other brands of V8s.

[Guest Terry]

I have always wondered why anyone would fit a high torque engine in a light weight car, it makes no sense. That's why light weight race cars have screamers and not high torque motors. An F1 car with approx 850 BHP has a little over 200 ft lb torque.

 

All the high torque motor will do in a light weight car is spin up the rear wheels.

 

Am I missing something here:ack:

[snookwheel]

Sounds like fun to me! Some folks like having to run the rpms way up to get into the torque band. I like having the torque kick in at lower rpm's. 300 ft. lbs. is not too much to drive very comfortably around town.

If I want to accelerate, no need for shifting if I am already at 2,000 rpm, just lean on the skinny peddle and it will accelerate hard right up to redline! Mine is only a V6 3.8 ltr. I think one of the LS1 engines would be a blast. Granted, you would spin the wheels if you just mashed the peddle, but the key here is that you don't have to. Plus, the LS1 weighs about 50 lbs less than the 3.8 V6!

An F1 winds up to 18,000 rpm... probably hard to get into the torque band for around town driving... but I'd jump at the chance to try!

Not everyone's cup of tea I am sure. But if you get a chance to drive one, you might be surprised at how civil it can be... or outrageous!:driving:

Scott

[Guest Terry]

Sounds like fun to me! Some folks like having to run the rpms way up to get into the torque band. I like having the torque kick in at lower rpm's. 300 ft. lbs. is not too much to drive very comfortably around town.

 

If I want to accelerate, no need for shifting if I am already at 2,000 rpm, just lean on the skinny peddle and it will accelerate hard right up to redline! Mine is only a V6 3.8 ltr. I think one of the LS1 engines would be a blast. Granted, you would spin the wheels if you just mashed the peddle, but the key here is that you don't have to. Plus, the LS1 weighs about 50 lbs less than the 3.8 V6!

 

An F1 winds up to 18,000 rpm... probably hard to get into the torque band for around town driving... but I'd jump at the chance to try!

 

Not everyone's cup of tea I am sure. But if you get a chance to drive one, you might be surprised at how civil it can be... or outrageous!:driving:

 

Scott

 

yihaaaaa:driving:

[jimrankin]

All aluminum chevy small block with dry sump and injection; shorter in height than our S2000 motors so lower center of gravity, only a little bit longer so still a short car, just as dependable as the Honda, way BIG HP, no waiting on Vtec to kick in, no more dreaming of expensive "more power" parts adds..... oh crap, now I have to get another car. LOL

[rag1998]

That is interesting!!! Cant imagine what this little car with a V8 feels like!

[rnr]

All the high torque motor will do in a light weight car is spin up the rear wheels.

 

And the problem with that is?????

[Guest Terry]

That is interesting!!! Cant imagine what this little car with a V8 feels like!

 

Horrible I should think :banghead:

[gjslutz]

This sure would be a great place to start!

[snookwheel]

Horrible I should think :banghead:

 

C'mon... you sound like you are just a bit curious about what an extra 100+ ft. lbs kicking in early would feel like.. ;-)

 

Try to get a seat in one before you condem the concept. You may find that it is a pretty good time. That's the great thing about the 7 community. There are a lot of options and a variety of approaches to powering the fun.

 

Not a 'one size fit's all' by any stretch!

 

Scott

[WestTexasS2K]

I think you guys that think these little cars cant handle big power have never been in one with big power. If done properly they handle just as good and give tons of umph out of the corners.

John Meyers was the first Stalker with the LS3 v8 as far as I know and his car is a rocket. You don't place as well as he did in the Ultimate Track car Challenge and have a poor performing car. I think the total weight difference between the supercharged v6 and the aluminum ls3 was something like 50 lbs. He also won first place at Run & Gun by a sizable margin. A light weight v8 in these cars is just what you need for fun at the next level of performance.

 

Maybe John will post his opinion soon.

 

Hottcar is building LS7 stalker that should be in the 600 hp range. It is going to be a beast. I hope I get to ride in it at the 7s fest.

 

A Indy car doesn't make alot of torque because they are very short stroke and high rpm and they keep the engine screaming to make the power. They don't need as much torque because they carry so much speed thru the corner. If they could have a 800 hp 18k rpm engine that makes more torque I bet they would take it. It sure doesn't seem to hurt Audi v10 tdi race car makes monster torque and runs half the engine speed of it's competition. They won just about every race they entered for several years. Just my worthless .02 opinion.

[jimrankin]

No matter how hard you push with the right foot you only get what the motor can give, but on the other hand you can always push a bit less if you have excess...

You only have "too much power" if it comes at the expense of the overall ability of the car to use it for gain. That said, I still stand by my previous statement that I have had more "fun" in lighter lower powered cars that out handle more powerful cars. But if you can make a more powerful car that is still light and handles, well, you figure it out.

[rag1998]

Definitely agree that a low band torque producing V8 engine would be a blast in these cars. My comment was a compliment, have an LS3 vette, though it took me a couple of days to get used to high torque and HP, now its quite fun.

 

I am looking forward to checking out some Stalkers at Sugar Groove Custom Cars in Des Moines next month

[FightingForAir]

I have a sport bike that produces about 750 hp per ton and about 500 lb/ft of torque per ton.

 

Too much power is just about right.

 

Assuming the pilot uses his head and knows when to use it all and when not to ... all is well in the world.

 

A 1400 lb car with 500 hp and 400-500 lb/ft sounds pretty damn fun to me. As long as you're not an idiot standing on the gas all the time ... the power is on tap when you want it ... and when you don't ... judicious application of throttle keeps things civil. :hurray:

[supersportsp]

If you only have 300 hp worth of traction, what does the extra power get you?

[snookwheel]

A significant ability to overcome the areodynamic limitations of the brick we drive around!

[supersportsp]

A significant ability to overcome the areodynamic limitations of the brick we drive around!

 

Get a more aerodynamic car.

[snookwheel]

I like this one! Like I stated previously, it may not be everyones cup of tea. but an LS7 sounds like fun to me. There is nothing wrong with staying within the zone you are comfortable with.

 

I haven't seen a se7en that I wouldn't want to drive. :cheers:

 

I also have a Solo Vee, and it is pretty much a momentum racer.. still a blast to drive.

[HOTTTCAR]

Get a more aerodynamic car.

 

"Build it" ....workin on it....... but a 7 is difficult to make aerodynamic.

[Bonjo2]

I just ordered a LS3 Stalker turn key and look forward to the experience. I've always wanted a Caterham but would never have been able to swing the high end sport bike performing ones. This should do the trick, will be a handful, and will allow me to participate in cruise nights.